The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 23, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

Despite her success as a spy, Jane
Bonde is still beholden to strict social mores, so when her spymaster uncle
pressures her to marry enigmatic Dominic Griffyn, she's totally conflicted.

Bonde, Jane Bonde, has trained from
a young age to be the best spy England’s supersecret Barbican group has to
offer. On an intellectual level, she understands her uncle’s desire to see her
married, since it’s difficult to navigate society as a single young lady.
However, to be ordered to marry a man she’s never met gets Jane’s back up.
Then, when she meets the darkly handsome Griffyn, she finds him wildly
attractive, which is a wholly unwelcome distraction, since she's trying to
vanquish the evil villain Foncé, who's sworn to destroy the Barbican group and
bring England to its knees. At first, Griffyn is against marrying her, too, but
everything about him is a mystery, and if there’s one thing Jane can’t resist,
it’s a puzzle. Of course, the fact that his kisses drive her crazy doesn’t
help, and then there’s the way he steps up to every challenge; better than some
men trained for years to control the chaos and danger of her field. For his part,
unsavory events from Griffyn’s childhood mire him in guilt and feelings of
unworthiness, and he has convinced himself he will never marry. But the
exquisite and exceptional Jane may be just the woman to treat his psychological
wounds, if they can defeat the maniacal Foncé and forge a future together.
Galen pens a delightful, entertaining James Bond homage in her newest spy-based
Regency romance; from the very first 007-inspired chase scene, we're hooked by
the adventure and physical jeopardy, and we keep reading for the emotional
risks and high-stakes love story unfolding between Jane and Griffyn.

The fun, ebullient spy-driven plot is gratifyingly over-the-top in a Bond-movie
way, while the romantic arc remains authentic and affecting.

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